USS Valiant vs. Pluton

'USS Valiant'' vs. Pluton' (17 October 1798) was a naval battle of the Quasi-War between the United States and the French First Republic that occurred when USS Valiant attacked and sunk the French Navy ship Pluton'' in the Caribbean. The first-rate ship of the line Valiant was slow to maneuver due to its heavy armament, and the lighter sixth-rate ship of the line Pluton managed to do some significant damage to the Valiant due to its superior maneuverability. The Americans decided to pursue the fleeing French ship after Captain Nathanael Marais ordered for his crew to retreat, and the Americans succeeded in sinking Pluton before it could successfully flee.